Cessna 170A, N9953A: Accident occurred March 25, 2017 in Death Valley, California

Aviation Accident Final Report - National Transportation Safety Board: https://app.ntsb.gov/pdf

Aviation Accident Factual Report - National Transportation Safety Board: https://app.ntsb.gov/pdf 

Docket And Docket Items  - National Transportation Safety Board: https://dms.ntsb.gov/pubdms

Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; ; Las Vegas, Nevada

http://registry.faa.gov/N9953A

NTSB Identification: GAA17CA204
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Saturday, March 25, 2017 in Death Valley, CA
Probable Cause Approval Date: 05/15/2017
Aircraft: CESSNA 170, registration: N9953A
Injuries: 2 Minor, 2 Uninjured.

NTSB investigators used data provided by various entities, including, but not limited to, the Federal Aviation Administration and/or the operator and did not travel in support of this investigation to prepare this aircraft accident report.

The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that, during landing on a backcountry dirt airstrip in a crosswind, the airplane touched down and bounced. He added that he attempted to maintain directional control, but a “[wind] gust weathervaned the aircraft nose left,” and the right main landing gear wheel dug into the ground during the second touchdown. Subsequently, the airplane ground looped to the left, and the right wing impacted the ground.
The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing.

The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident as follows:
The pilot’s improper compensation for crosswind conditions during the landing flare and his subsequent failure to maintain directional control during the landing.